Green party 'doing Devil's work'

The Greens are a tool of the Devil, says a pastor opposed to MP Sue Bradford's attempts to stop reasonable force being cited as a defence in child abuse cases.

Pastor Garnet Milne of Wanganui, who has written repeatedly in opposition to repealing Section 59 of the Crimes Act, has posted an article on his website called "Repealing Section 59; or why is the Devil Beating the New Zealand Family with a Green Stick?"

Pastor Milne said people who rejected God were "under the control of Satan" because they interfered with the biblical responsibility of the parent to discipline their child.

Ms Bradford said the comments reminded her of the "hysterical and medieval" claims made by Christian fundamentalists during the Prostitution Reform Bill debate.

The article made the incorrect argument that the bill would outlaw smacking, she said. Ms Bradford believed the change would not see parents punished for smacking but would stop the defence being used for violent abuse.

"There are numerous examples of children being seriously harmed and abused with the sanction of the law." Submissions on the bill close tomorrow.

- NZPA